After yesterday's rejection, for the first time in more than 15 years, I have zero stories or other writings out on submission.

If you are, like I was a month ago, not yet acquainted with the work of Thomas Mann, I urge you to put his work near the top of your to-read list. Buddenbrooks is a gem. Death in Venice and The Magic Mountain are next up for me.

Book mail that inspired me to attempt to make a picture of the author. Unfortunately, I cannot draw realistic pictures worth a damn. But at least in this sketchbook I wrote something true: @aaronburch.bsky.social is a lit-world champion. Excited to read Tacoma soon!

NER is excited to announce an open call for submissions to a special feature celebrating Agnès Varda’s 2000 film THE GLEANERS & I. This special feature will be edited by NER contributing editor J. M. Tyree. Read the submission guidelines & submit: newenglandreview.submittable.com/submit/9476d...

I had a great time conducting an interview with Maggie Mull about her short story in @newenglandreview.bsky.social. We discussed defamiliarization, authenticity, and humor, among other things. Check it out on NER's website. (Her story is published in the latest issue!) nereview.com/behind-the-b...

I'm a big fan of many literary mags/journals, but I especially appreciate when the mag/journal pairs their stories/essays/poetry with original art/illustrations. (Nothing against those that do not, as there are obviously very excellent ones out there that don't.) -- 1/7

Fun with one-line pencil drawing…

Recent drawing…

Andre Aciman’s Call Me By Your Name is a perfect book. WOW! Just finished it this afternoon and had to sit and hold onto it a bit before anything else.

My daughter gave me a sunflower and I made a picture because of it.

A section of an abstract painting I’m working on.

A partial view of an oil painting work in progress.

It means a lot, Aaron! At least to me it does. 😀 Thanks so much for sharing about this morning’s thoughts. It is such an honor having the story published alongside so many great stories in your journal—whatever magic it has is also as a result of the story’s pals!

A close up of an oil painting that I’m working on…

If you are looking for an incredible film—and who isn’t, really?—look no further than On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, directed by Rungano Nyoni. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/m...

“I understand absolutely nothing,” replied the Nose. “Make yourself more clear.” “My dear sir,” said Kovalyov with a sense of his own dignity, “I don’t know how to interpret your words…The whole thing seems to me quite obvious…Or do you wish…After all, you are my nose!” -from Gogol’s “The Nose”

Literature & short story lovers: recently I was paid for a story published in Short Story, Long. To support the journal, I'd like to put the $ back into it by giving away a bunch of monthly subscriptions. Interested? DM me w/your email address! ashortstorylong.substack.com

I'm thrilled to share my story, "The Free Throw Shooter," published on Short Story, Long by the greatest of editors, @aaronburch.bsky.social, with illustrations I LOVE by @jiksuncheung.bsky.social. I hope you read it and if you do I hope you like it. ashortstorylong.substack.com/p/the-free-t...

I haven’t painted with oil in months, but I just broke out the paints. My first step to getting started again: using titanium white, I painted over an old picture I made long ago that I disliked. Now I have an interesting “blank” and textured canvas to use. This experience felt unexpectedly great.

Pepper and salt are essential ingredients to have atop of any dining table.

A salad of purple cabbage, red bell peppers, both chopped, and topped with ranch dressing (with a dash of salt and two of pepper) is a very tasty lunch. Also, here's a drawing I made inspired by Josep Maria Subirachs.

For my first post, here is a picture of a sunflower that I made.